Yoshimura Suzuki's take on James Stewart's Hangtown
Tuesday 22 May: Yoshimura Suzuki's James Stewart raced his RM-Z450 to victory in both 450 motos to take the overall win in round one of the AMA Motocross Championship at Hangtown in Sacramento, California at the weekend.
In his inaugural race on the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 - and
returning to the series after four years absence - Stewart was nothing
short of flawless: The first moto saw him get a great start and take the
lead on the first lap and from there, he slowly but surely created a
gap and led all laps to take the win. In the second moto, Stewart got
shuffled around a bit on the start but quickly made short shrift of the
competition. Taking the lead, he rode a calculated, efficient race and
again gapped the field while remaining in his comfort zone. Anything but
victory was simply out of the question.
James Stewart: "I couldn't ask for
anything better. The Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 was really
fast and consistent. In the first moto I got a great start and I was in
the lead on the first lap. I rode my own race, and got a good gap and
was able to win that one. In the second moto, I had to work for it. I
had to come around some guys, then I was able to stay there and keep the
pace. As the day went on, the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 was just better
and better and better. I have to give it up to the team for all their
hard work. I don't want to get over-confident, but to start off like
this - knowing this is one of my worst tracks - and know we can keep
building, makes it so good."
Likewise, Australian team mate
Brett Metcalfe turned in a promising performance in both motos. In the
first one, Metcalfe got a good start on the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 and
worked his way up to second before fatigue set in and he finished
fourth. In the second moto, Metcalfe again ran in a podium position
before finishing fifth. At the end of the day, Metcalfe - who is in a
three-way tie for third in Championship points - was happy to finish
fifth overall.
Brett Matcalfe (pictured above): "I've been looking forward to the start of the
motocross season. The Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 is
working great and Motocross is a nice change of pace. In moto one, I got
a top-five start and I was feeling strong. I made some moves early and
moved up to second, but wasn't able to finish at the same intensity
level I started with. Moto two was much the same, though I didn't have a
very good start. My speed and skills on the Suzuki feel really good
right now, so I was able to make passes and move through the pack.
Again, I just wasn't able to finish the moto strong. We need to work on
that, because if I want to contend for wins, that's what I've got to
do."
As the Yoshimura Suzuki squad prepares for round two next
weekend, both Stewart and Metcalfe are enthusiastic about the race in
Texas. Stewart is particularly excited about the upcoming event because
he'll be contesting it as the series points leader and, as a result,
will run the leader's red number plate.
"Texas is going to be
tough," said Stewart. "But we have to take it week by week. I get to
ride the red plate on the Suzuki and that's pretty cool. This will be
the first time I've ever had it, in Motocross or Supercross, so that
should be pretty special."
Added Metcalfe: "I'm looking forward
to Texas. That's always a physically-demanding track, so the Yoshimura
Suzuki RM-Z450 will work well there. We've got to go in confident, and
after this round, get the appropriate rest, work hard this week and come
out stronger for Texas and build from there."
Team Yoshimura
Suzuki Racing's next event is the second round of the 2012 AMA Pro
Motocross Championship on Saturday, May 26th, at the Freestone National
in Wortham, Texas.
Hangtown 450 Motocross Results:
1.
James Stewart (Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450)
2. Ryan Dungey
3. Mike Alessi
4. Andrew Short
5.
Brett Metcalfe (Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450)
6. Broc Tickle
7. Davi Millsaps
8. Jake Weimer
9. Josh Grant
10. Nico Izzi
2012 450 Motocross Standings:
1.
James Stewart (Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450) - 50
2. Ryan Dungey - 42
3. Mike Alessi - 34
4. Andrew Short - 34
5.
Brett Metcalfe (Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450) - 34
6. Davi Millsaps - 29
7. Broc Tickle - 29
8. Jake Weimer - 26
9. Josh Grant - 25
10 Nico Izzi - 21